The success of the SPECTRUM model of teacher education is
dependent upon the efforts of a dedicated cooperating teacher and a university
supervisor. Each ensures the success of the Kean University program by
providing a student with an appropriate initiation into the culture of the
school and the classroom. Modeling exemplary classroom practice, a cooperating
teacher offers the preprofessional field experience student creative
opportunities to apply theories and principles studied in the university
classroom. Cooperating teachers are expected to:

1. provide opportunities for the preprofessional field
experience student to interact with P-12 students to design and implement
lessons;

2. provide opportunities for the preprofessional field
experience student to interact with P-12 students in a total school setting.
These experiences include individual, small group, and entire class
instructions;

3. share curricular and instructional ideas, resource
materials, and suggestions with the student and university supervisor;

4. model appropriate language and positive classroom
management;

5. encourage the use of current innovations and
developments such as thematic teaching, the use of manipulative materials,
and cooperative learning strategies; and

3. teaching lessons that serve as models for the
preprofessional field experience student;

4. assigning the preprofessional student to classroom
activities in keeping with his/her level of ability and interest, no later
than the third week, with opportunities for individual instruction and
progression to small groups;

Professional Development
Hours are awarded to cooperating teachers who mentor preprofessional field
experience students. Click
here for a list of the programs and their
respective professional development hour credits.